Thommo Hopes Potential Is Fulfilled

Notts County's young talent can have a bright future in the game, according to former captain John Thompson.

Thompson skippered Notts to the League 2 championship in 2009.10 - a time when a number of the Magpies' home-grown players were still in the Academy.

The likes of Haydn Hollis, Greg Tempest, Fabian Spiess and Curtis Thompson were promoted to the senior ranks in the seasons that followed the unforgettable promotion.

All have made an impression on the first team stage and Thompson, who has now retired from the professional game, knows that they have the potential to succeed in the black and white stripes, based on what he saw of the promising youngsters during his time with the club.

"We could see they were going to be good players but I think the proof in the pudding will be when they get their opportunity as the season goes on," he told Magpie Player.

"It's tough on the young lads but you never find out until they're actually put out there in a real game.

"You can play as many youth and reserve games as you want but it's totally different when you go into a first team fixture.

"Hopefully the future's bright for the club and it's the way forward now for a lot of clubs, because they don't have the budgets that they had previously.

"Clubs are relying on this and hopefully it'll be a good thing for Notts County."

All of the senior players that achieved the 2009.10 success have now departed Meadow Lane but Thompson has kept close tabs on the Magpies.

The former right-back is confident that Notts can climb the Sky Bet League 1 table and give the supporters something to cheer about in 2013.14.

"It's a new team here and obviously since I left the club I've kept in good contact and looked out for results," he continued.

"I know most of the players and I think it can be a good season for Notts.

"It'll be a tough season because I know the budget's been made a little bit smaller but I think that could bring the squad a bit closer together.

"They were only nine points off last season and I think the Play-Offs would be a great achievement this year."

He added: "The new boss, Chris Kiwomya, has been given a three-year contract and the chairman has shown a lot of faith in him there.

"The priority is to get the results on the pitch but we have to build for the future a bit and he has a few young lads in there.

"Then he also has a lot of experience out there but there's some very talented players.

"If they can just get on a bit of a run, anything can happen."

Thompson, who made 115 appearances for the Magpies between 2008 and 2011, is currently training to be a physiotherapist.

The 31-year-old is expected back at Meadow Lane when the Magpies take on Rotherham United on Saturday 31 August (3pm kick-off), where he will be our pre-match guest in the Wheeler's Suite.

To book your place in pre-match hospitality for an upcoming game, call 0115 9557 241. For full details, click here.